TCA Named Fourth Largest Sponsor of Congressional Travel in 2012

On January 16, Roll Call TCA as the fourth largest sponsor of congressional travel in 2012 following the American Israel Education Foundation, The Aspen Institute and the Congressional Institute. This is the second year in a row in which TCA ranks among the top four sponsors for foreign congressional travel.

Since 2009, TCA has sponsored 15 trips and taken nearly 150 members of Congress and senior staff to Turkey and its neighboring countries to educate Congress on the importance of the U.S.-Turkey relationship and to bring balanced dialogue to key issues on Capitol Hill.

TCA to Award 250th Study Abroad in Turkey Scholarship to American Minority Student

Francisco Gonzales of the University of North Texas (UNT) will become the 250th scholarship recipient under TCA's Study Abroad in Turkey Scholarships for American Minority Students. The TCA Study Abroad Scholarship program was established in 2008 to support study abroad opportunities for African American, Hispanic American and Native American students. For more information on TCA scholarships click here.

TCA Sponsors Canadian-Turkish Youth Congress

For the fourth consecutive year, TCA sponsored the "Sixth Annual Turkish Canadian Youth Congress" organized by the Council of Turkish Canadians, which took place on January 11-13, 2012 in Halifax-Nova Scotia. TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy was the keynote speaker at the event and addressed the importance of civic engagement. TCA Project Manager, Mrs. JoEllen Byrnes, who also spoke at the event, discussed the concept of bridge-building and provided tools for successful advocacy.

The three-day gathering was attended by several distinguished guests including, Turkey's Ambassador to Canada, Tuncay Babali, Senator James Cowan, Members of Parliament Paul Dewar and Geoff Regan, and Nova Scotia Halifax City Mayor Mike Savage.

TCA Hosts Students From Bahcesehir University's School of Government and Leadership

21 graduate students from the School of Government and Leadership at Bahcesehir University, Istanbul visited Washington, D.C. in late January. The TCA hosted the group on January 30th at its D.C. office and arranged for a meeting with Rep. Donna Edwards as well as meetings with the Congressional offices of Rep. Virginia Foxx, Rep. Michael McCaul, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Rep. Renee Ellmers during their stay.

Robert College Headmaster Pays Courtesy Visit to TCA

On January 24th Anthony Jones, the new Headmaster of Robert College (RC), located in Istanbul, Turkey paid a courtesy visit to TCA. Mr. Jones spoke with TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and TCA Research Fellow and former RC graduate Sevin Elekdag on events to be held in Istanbul and Washington D.C. in honor of the 150th Anniversary of Robert College.

TCA to Sponsor 16th Congressional Delegation to Turkey

Between February 16-24, TCA will take its first congressional delegation of 2013 to Turkey. The group of 15 senior staffers will attend official meetings in Ankara and Istanbul and will visit Gallipoli-Canakkale. Since 2009, TCA has taken more than 150 members of Congress and their senior staff to Turkey, with extensions to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia.